April 1 (SeeNews) - Moldova's parliament, in which pro-Moscow Socialists form the largest group of lawmakers, said it declared a two-month nationwide state of emergency to tame a surge in coronavirus infection but the country's pro-European president Maia Sandu said the decision rather aimed to prevent an early general election.
A total of 52 members of the 101-seat parliament MPs who form the parliamentary majority comprising the Socialist Party (PSRM), Sor Party and PRO Moldova, voted on Wednesday evening to introduce a state of emergency across the country, to be in force from April 1 until May 30, data posted on the parliament's website showed.
During the state of emergency, Moldova's special public health commission will be able to issue rules regarding travel to and from Moldova, travel within the country, as well as work conditions. The commission will also be able to restrict rallies, public demonstrations, and other mass events, according to the bill introducing the state of emergency.
President Maia Sandu said in a talk-show broadcast by local Jurnal TV on Wednesday evening that the parliamentary majority imposed the state of emergency not to limit the spread of coronavirus but to prevent an early general election. According to Moldova's constitution, elections cannot be held during a nationwide state of emergency.
Sandu added that she is considering to challenge the bill at the Constitutional Court.
The number of new Covid-19 cases in Moldova has exceeded 1,000 per day over the past weeks, according to data by the health ministry. The country started its Covid-19 vaccination campaign on March 2.
Moldova has been in a state of healthcare emergency since May 15, 2020. The country with a population of 3.5 million has registered 230,241 coronavirus cases and 4,960 associated deaths as of Thursday, according to official data.
Moldova has been run by a caretaker cabinet led by foreign affairs and European integration minister Aurel Ciocoi since December, when former prime minister Ion Chicu resigned in a move aimed to trigger early parliamentary elections.
On March 25, the cabinet proposed by Moldovan PM-designate Igor Grosu failed to win parliament's approval due to a lack of quorum, as the parliamentary majority did not attend the session.
PSRM, led by former president Igor Dodon who lost to Sandu in the November presidential elections, holds 36 seats in parliament. Sor Party, led by businessman Ilan Sor, controls nine seats, pro-European Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) once led by Sandu holds 15, while pro-EU Dignity and Truth Party (PDPDA) controls 11. Democrat Party of Moldova holds 11 seats, Pro-Moldova has 7 seats, while the remaining 12 mandates are held by independent MPs.
(1 euro = 21.1104 lei)